Documentaries for Māori Television

20 December 2007

Media Release

Documentaries for Māori Television

NZ On Air research indicates that 84% of New Zealanders regularly watch locally made television documentaries. So they can indulge that habit, NZ On Air has just approved funding for a new documentary strand for broadcast on Māori Television.

"This new strand offers us a new outlet for insightful New Zealand stories,” said NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson. “We have been wanting to increase the diversity of documentary production, and this strand offers a perfect opportunity.”

Māori Television’s New Zealand Documentary, Pakipūmeka Aotearoa will be a contestable strand for high-quality, engaging work from experienced documentary makers. The strand complements those funded for TV One and TV3. Submissions will be sought from the production industry in the new year.

Programmes will be in English. Some will tell stories from a Māori perspective; others will explore aspects of New Zealand life for a general audience.

“We’re looking forward to seeing some innovative and thoughtful projects making their way to the screen,” Ms Wrightson said.

Other documentary funding approved includes $150,535 to Pacific Crews for a documentary to screen on TV One on ANZAC Day 2009, and $592,843 to Satellite Media for a New Zealand music series to screen on C4 and TV3.

Funding details:

New Zealand Documentary, Pakipūmeka Aotearoa $1,875,000
15 x 1 hour
Broadcaster: Māori Television
Producer: Various

Lost in Libya $150,535
1 x 1 hour
Broadcaster: TV One
Producer: Amanda Evans, Pacific Crews

Rocked the Nation $592,843
6 x 1 hour & 6 x 100 interstitials
Broadcaster: C4 & TV3
Producer: Arwen O’Connor, Satellite Media

Ends

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